# NTSB GAA19CA193: Cessna 172, N7127G, Pella, IA, March 26, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 26, 2019, 14:50 local (19:50 UTC) - Place: Pella, IA - Coordinates: 41.401111, -92.945831 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4011&lon=-92.9458&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99213 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA193 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99213/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99213 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA193 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain the runway heading and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action during landing, which resulted in the instructor landing the airplane in grass left of the runway and a subsequent nose-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: heading/course](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047/cases.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 82 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that, during the landing with the student pilot on the flight controls, about 5 to 10 ft above the ground, a wind gust caused the airplane to drift right. The instructor assumed control of the airplane, attempted to correct, applied full power, and initiated a go-around. The instructor stated that the airplane was "low and slow," and the left main landing gear contacted the runway, and the airplane drifted left. Concerned the airplane would not gain significant altitude to clear the buildings in the flightpath, the instructor chose to land in the grass left of the runway. Subsequently, the airplane encountered soft terrain and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the aft fuselage and rudder. The instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. About the time of the accident, the airport's automated weather observation station reported that the wind was from 170° at 5 knots. The student was landing the airplane on runway 16. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor reported that, during the landing with the student pilot on the flight controls, about 5 to 10 feet above the ground, a gust of wind caused the airplane to drift to the right. The instructor assumed control of the airplane, attempted to correct, applied full power, and initiated a go-around. The airplane was "low and slow" and the left main landing gear contacted the runway and the airplane drifted left. Concerned the airplane would not gain significant altitude to clear the buildings in the flight path, the instructor elected to land in the grass left of the runway. Subsequently, the airplane encountered soft terrain and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damaged to the aft fuselage and rudder. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. About the time of the accident, the automated weather reporting station, located on the airport, reported that the wind was from 170° at 5 knots. The student pilot was landing the airplane on runway 16. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7127G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7127G-2020-05-23), registration cancelled 2020-05-23, S/N 17258827, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 (K) - Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-E2D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-e2d) (registry code 42123, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17258827 - Year built: 1969 - Airframe hours: 10600 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Classic Aviation Inc - Registered owner: Classic Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 17, 2019 - Departed: PEA, Pella, IA - Destination: PEA, Pella, IA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: PEA, Pella Muni, runway 16, 5,403 × 75 ft, concrete - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 41; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 16, 2018; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 562.2 total, 314.5 in this make and model, 494.8 as pilot in command, 61.5 in the last 90 days, 14.8 in the last 30 days, 2.2 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 17; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 51 total, 42.4 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3.9 in the last 30 days, 2.2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.31 inHg - Observed at: KPEA ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20190326001999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190326001999A), Mar 26, 2019: Cessna 172K, Pella, IA, Substantial damage. While conducting take off and landings for flight training, the student and instructor were in the touchdown phase of flight. A light quartering crosswind was… ## Other investigations on N7127G (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB NYC73FHD14](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC73FHD14), Aug 28, 1972: Cessna 172 (N7127G), Norristown, PA, destroyed ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 30, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99213. 736 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 544 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472284&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 192 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472285&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.